Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
The forklift or powered industrial truck is a heavy duty equipment found in practically every warehouse and factory. These reliable and tough equipment can raise and transport heavy things that are not able to lift by hand. There is some specific training complete so as to be able to safely operate a forklift. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Since the forklift is a heavy piece of machinery it can be dangerous if not handled properly, thus, the driver's skills are very important.
Good Judgment
In order to estimate the weight of a load, the forklift driver has to have good judgement, able to judge both the weight and height of the cargo. Knowing the particulars will help to ensure that both the load and forklift will fit it designed area. It is important to have good judgement in order to move the forklift around obstacles and negotiate tight turns in order to be able to capably drive the equipment in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Necessary forklift skills skills consist of excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. Like for instance, if a stack of items in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver has to be able to quickly respond and try to fix the issue. In order to avoid accidents, a high level of concentration is necessary when using and working in the vicinity of these machinery.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a forklift driver is that they have to be adaptable to the work setting. This can be continually changing depending on the task. Several forklift jobs require operators to be exposed to dangerous machinery, damaging materials, odors, loud noises or fumes. Warehouses and work atmosphere could be busy places. The driver of the forklift must be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. In addition, many forklift tasks require being outdoors to transport items or unload merchandise; hence, the driver needs to be ready at the likelihood of working in poor climate.
Machinery Maintenance
Drivers must be able to follow directions and understand how heavy equipment works. Operators should learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to make sure that the horn, the lights, the steering, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are functioning at an optimal level.
Forklift truck drivers have to also understand how to properly maintain the vehicles and need to know when something is not working properly. An essential part of forklift truck training is also being able to explain to mechanics about equipment problems.